Lead Analyst, Quality Assurance

smucker; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

J.M. Smucker in New Orleans seeks a Lead Analyst Quality Assurance to safeguard food safety and product quality across multiple warehouse locations. You will lead QA initiatives, ensure compliance with BRCGS and regulatory standards, and drive continuous improvement from receiving through blending.

You will manage lab functions, cupping programs, audits, and supplier partnerships, shaping quality culture and operational excellence for the New Orleans operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quality or Technical concentration preferred.
• 2.5 years of quality, technical or analytical experience.
• Qualified green coffee cupper required.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for QA systems, results, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with BRCGS and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate QA standards, lab procedures, and work processes.
• Lead continuous improvement to enhance QA programs across receiving, storage, and delivery.
• Manage decaffeinated coffee quality and food safety monitoring programs, including inspections.
• Oversee QA materials purchasing for Smucker and third-party operations.
• Perform QA lab functions, including testing, data analysis, and reporting in Oracle and IMS.
• Qualify and maintain green coffee cupping certification; conduct sensory evaluations.
• Maintain regulatory certifications and audit readiness.
• Conduct warehouse GMP audits and drive corrective actions.
• Lead root cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Manage product hold, release, and recall processes.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and calibration of lab equipment.
• Support Quality Pillar and cross-functional initiatives.
• Partner with suppliers and QA teams to achieve business objectives.

Skills

Quality assurance

Data analysis

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Microsoft Office

Green coffee cupping

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Quality or Technical concentration

Tools

Oracle

IMS systems

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Lead Analyst Quality Assurance

This is a high-impact quality leadership role responsible for safeguarding the food safety, quality, and integrity of green coffee across multiple warehouse locations supporting the New Orleans operation. The role serves as a critical link between J.M. Smucker, external partners, and regulatory requirements, driving compliance with industry-leading quality standards while influencing operational excellence.

What makes this role unique is its broad scope and visibility. The individual will lead quality initiatives across third-party warehouses, partner closely with internal and external stakeholders, influence key quality decisions, and serve as a trusted backup to the Site Quality Manager. This position offers the opportunity to shape quality culture, improve processes, and directly impact product quality from receiving through blending.

Location: New Orleans Silo

Work Arrangements: Monday-Friday with flexibility to support operations during occasional evenings, nights, or weekends, based on operational and business needs.

In this role you will:

• Accountable for quality assurance systems, results, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with BRCGS, Quality Key Elements, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate QA standards, laboratory procedures, and work processes to drive efficiency and compliance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality systems supporting green coffee receiving, storage, and delivery operations across all facilities.
• Manage decaffeinated coffee quality and food safety monitoring programs, including warehouse inspections and compliance activities.
• Oversee purchasing of quality assurance materials and supplies for J.M. Smucker and third-party operations.
• Perform and support all quality assurance laboratory functions, including analytical testing, quality evaluations, data analysis, and reporting within Oracle and IMS systems.
• Qualify and maintain green coffee cupper certification through a rigorous training and calibration program; conduct sensory evaluations of green coffee components and blends.
• Maintain regulatory certifications, accreditations, and qualified auditor status to support compliance requirements.
• Conduct warehouse GMP audits and recommend corrective and preventive actions to improve food safety and quality performance.
• Lead or participate in root cause analysis investigations, corrective action implementation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage product hold, release, disposition, withdrawal, and recall processes to ensure compliance and product integrity.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, and performance verification of laboratory equipment.
• Serve as an active contributor to Quality Pillar and Engineering & T Pillar initiatives.
• Partner with third-party service providers, Corporate Green Coffee Planning, and Quality Assurance teams to build effective relationships and achieve key business objectives.
• Support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree, Quality or Technical concentration preferred
• 2.5 years of quality, technical or analytical experience
• Qualified green coffee cupper required

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Personal Responsibility and Provides Timely Feedback to Others when Necessary.
• Demonstrate d capability in analyz ing data/situations , problem solving and attention to detail
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Collaborative approach : T his role must effectively interface with multiple internal functions as well as external suppliers
• Communication : Strong oral, written and interpersonal skills are required
• Strong computer skills - Microsoft Office
• Demonstration of a "flow to the work" mentality to meet the changing business needs
• Demonstrated the ability to meet commitments on time under a moderate level of pressure.
• Strong attention to detail under time pressure
• Ability to discern different flavor notes common to coffee and facilitate discussion about flavor in a collaborative way while referencing specifications
• Demonstrated results in driving continuous improvement in cost, quality, and business responsiveness
• Statistical or data analysis skills beyond simple reporting

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs , and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, r